Solution

What you will see

When you print a presentation with transparent fills and graphics in Microsoft PowerPoint, the printed output may not look as good as the slide does on the screen. Instead, the transparent regions may appear grainy, jagged, faded, or not appear at all.

Incorrect Output

Expected Output when Saved As .PDF

Expected Output when Saved As .PNG

Click Images to Enlarge

Explanation

This behavior is caused by the transparency feature in the Microsoft PowerPoint application. This usually happens when printing on a monochrome printer using any Universal Print Driver (UPD); i.e., PS3, PCL 5, PCL XL / PCL 6.

Recommended solution

There are four (4) possible methods to address this concern.

Method 1: Converting the objects to an image

Method 2: Converting the whole slide to an image

Method 3: Converting the whole slide to PDF

Method 4: Marking "High Quality" Print Setting

NOTE: Method 4 is available for PowerPoint 2007 and 2010 versions.

Methods 1 and 2: Please click here to view steps and more information.

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Method 3: Converting the whole slide to PDF

If the transparency effect includes many objects on the slide, you can save the whole slide as a graphic and then print it separately or as part of the presentation.

Step

Action

1

Make sure the slide you want to save as a graphic is the slide that is visible in the slide pane.

Note: When you print in high quality, it may take longer for your presentation to print.

Still need help?

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